Abstract: An information processing apparatus allowing proper communication with a communication partner in accordance with a communication time of the communication partner. A reception control unit receives a random challenge (RC) from a transmission terminal and supplies it to a generation unit. The reception control unit transmits an RC reception message indicating an RC reception to a transmission side. The generation unit executes a Hash process relative to RC and supplies resultant authentication data to a generation unit. A transmission control unit controls the generation unit at a timing before a response request command from the transmission side is received, to make the generation unit generate a response message containing authentication data corresponding to the response request command, and when the response request command is received, transmits the response message to a transmission destination terminal. The apparatus is applicable to a content providing system.

Abstract: In view of the fact that devices connected on a home network are located in home, that is, at close range and therefore a user can physically access the devices within a relatively short period of time, identifying whether or not a home server for distributing the contents and a client terminal using the contents are connected to the same home network based on whether or not they can share access to the same physical medium within a short period of time. The authenticity of devices connected on a home network connected to an external network via a router is authenticated.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus allowing proper communication with a communication partner in accordance with a communication time of the communication partner. A reception control unit receives a random challenge (RC) from a transmission terminal and supplies it to a generation unit. The reception control unit transmits an RC reception message indicating an RC reception to a transmission side. The generation unit executes a Hash process relative to RC and supplies resultant authentication data to a generation unit. A transmission control unit controls the generation unit at a timing before a response request command from the transmission side is received, to make the generation unit generate a response message containing authentication data corresponding to the response request command, and when the response request command is received, transmits the response message to a transmission destination terminal. The apparatus is applicable to a content providing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus allowing proper communication with a communication partner in accordance with a communication time of the communication partner.

Abstract: In order to limit use of content, when a source receives a request for transmitting content from a sink, the source performs an authentication process. When the authentication is successful, the source transmits to the sink key information necessary for decrypting the encryption applied to the content. The sink can receive the content by receiving the key information and by decrypting the encryption applied to the content by using the key information.

Abstract: The construction of a receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast from a plurality of broadcasting providers is simplified. In a receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast from a plurality of broadcasting providers, of the function blocks which constitute the receiving apparatus, a block used in common irrespective of the broadcasting provider is formed as a common block, and a block different from one broadcasting provider to another is formed as an independent block. These blocks are connected to each other through an IEEE1394 interface, and the common block is shared among the plurality of blocks which are not used in common, so that a receiving process is performed.

Abstract: The construction of a receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast from a plurality of broadcasting providers is simplified. In a receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast from a plurality of broadcasting providers, of the function blocks which constitute the receiving apparatus, a block used in common irrespective of the broadcasting provider is formed as a common block, and a block different from one broadcasting provider to another is formed as an independent block. These blocks are connected to each other through an IEEE1394 interface, and the common block is shared among the plurality of blocks which are not used in common, so that a receiving process is performed.

Abstract: In view of the connection of a home network to an external network via a home router, using a mechanism that access from the same network is provided with a source MAC address whereas a source address field is rewritten to a MAC address of the router in the case of external access via the router, whether or not access is made from the home network is automatically identified by comparing a MAC address of a device on the other side of communication with a MAC address of the home router. It is capable of suitably managing so that a client terminal uses the contents legitimately acquired on a home server within the scope of private use allowed by the copyright law.

Abstract: The construction of a receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast from a plurality of broadcasting providers is simplified. In a receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast from a plurality of broadcasting providers, of the function blocks which constitute the receiving apparatus, a block used in common irrespective of the broadcasting provider is formed as a common block, and a block different from one broadcasting provider to another is formed as an independent block. These blocks are connected to each other through an IEEE1394 interface, and the common block is shared among the plurality of blocks which are not used in common, so that a receiving process is performed.

Abstract: In order to limit use of content, when a source receives a request for transmitting content from a sink, the source performs an authentication process. When the authentication is successful, the source transmits to the sink key information necessary for decrypting the encryption applied to the content. The sink can receive the content by receiving the key information and by decrypting the encryption applied to the content by using the key information.

Abstract: A data transmitting apparatus including a transmitting unit connected to a first network and configured to transmit a check packet to a data receiving apparatus; a control unit configured to receive an acknowledgment message to the check packet from the data receiving apparatus, the acknowledgment message including acknowledgment information based on shared data shared with said data receiving apparatus; a computing unit configured to compute an expected acknowledgment information based on the shared data shared with said data receiving apparatus; a comparing unit configured to produce a comparison result for said data receiving apparatus based on the acknowledgment information and the expected acknowledgment information; a timer configured to determine whether a response time of the acknowledgment message is less than a predetermined time; and a judgment unit configured to judge whether to stop transmission of content data based on the comparison result and the determination of the timer.

Abstract: There is provided a configuration enabling prevention in advance of leakage and outflow of secret information in the local network, such as private data and content whose copyright and use right is restricted. A plurality of identification information of a communication destination device are acquired at different data processing levels. Identification information acquired by data processing at a level of a physical layer or a data link layer of the OSI reference model and identification information acquired by data processing at a layer level of a network layer or higher are received and these identification information are matched.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telecommunications apparatus and a method, a storage medium, and a program for determining whether or not the other side communicating content data is located on a LAN or across a WAN. In step S13, the difference between a counter value in a received check packet and a value in a register is computed. In step S14, the resultant difference is checked to determine if it is equal to a constant value X. If it is determined that the difference is equal to the constant value X, the counter value in the packet is stored in the register in step S15. In step S16, it is determined whether or not all the predetermined number of check packets is received. If all the predetermined number of check packets is received, it is determined that the communication takes place over a LAN connection in step S17. If, in step S14, it is determined that the difference is not equal to the constant value X, it is determined that the communication takes place across a WAN connection in step S18.

Abstract: If there is a limitation imposed to the time period within which recording of certain content such as broadcast content is permitted, with the purpose of protection of copyrights of such content, a relationship between the accessible time and a current time is indicated so that a user can be informed of the remaining time before the deadline or the elapsed time since the deadline. In this way, the user can verify how a system is currently working to manage recording operation regarding the information having restricted or limited accessible time. In addition, automatic reproduction of digital material performed immediately before the deadline can help the user to avoid careless failure to access the provided content.

Abstract: In order to satisfactorily transmit audio data of various formats through a transmission line, when data having a predetermined data length as a unit is transmitted by a predetermined format between devices connected to a predetermined transmission line, label data indicating a system of transmitted audio data is located at a starting portion of the data having the predetermined data length, sub-label data is located at an interval behind label data if necessary and data accompanying with audio data is located and transmitted, whereby a side which receives this data can easily identify a system of audio data or the like.

Abstract: A content usage control apparatus prevents a content managed by an end user from being illegally used. To prevent a content from being used by an apparatus or user other than an authorized apparatus or user, a content usage control apparatus registers the authorized apparatus or user and determines, before providing the content, whether the content is going to be provided to the authorized apparatus or user. The content usage control apparatus also has the capability of imposing a limitation on rewriting of registration. The above-described capabilities of the content usage control apparatus make it possible to protect copyright of information to be provided. A specific example of the content usage control apparatus is a server which stores contents such as movie contents or music contents, and may be used in a system in which a content is provided in response to a request from a client such as a portable telephone, a TV set, or a personal computer, connected to the server.

Abstract: A data transmitting apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits a check packet to a data receiving apparatus, and a control unit that receives an acknowledgement message to the check packet. The acknowledgement message includes acknowledgement information based on shared data shared with the data receiving apparatus. The transmitting apparatus also includes a timer configured to determine whether a response time of the acknowledgement message is less than a predetermined time and a judgment unit that judges whether a subsequent content data transmitted to the data receiving apparatus will be limited in usage right based on a comparison result and the determination of the timer. If the acknowledgement message is not received, the judgment unit determines that the data receiving apparatus is connected to the data transmitting apparatus through a second network and subsequent content data transmitted is limited in usage right.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telecommunications apparatus and a method, a storage medium, and a program for determining whether or not an other side communicating apparatus is near in a network. In a transmitting apparatus, a transmitting unit transmits a sending-message, and a control unit receives a response message to the sending-message, which includes acknowledgement information based on shared data and transmission information in the sending-message. The transmitting apparatus also includes a first judging unit that judges whether a response time of the acknowledgement message is less than a predetermined time. A receiving apparatus includes a generating unit that generates the acknowledgment information and transmits the response message to the transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: A content usage control apparatus prevents a content managed by an end user from being illegally used. To prevent a content from being used by an apparatus or user other than an authorized apparatus or user, a content usage control apparatus registers the authorized apparatus or user and determines, before providing the content, whether the content is going to be provided to the authorized apparatus or user. The content usage control apparatus also has the capability of imposing a limitation on rewriting of registration. The above-described capabilities of the content usage control apparatus make it possible to protect copyright of information to be provided. A specific example of the content usage control apparatus is a server which stores contents such as movie contents or music contents, and may be used in a system in which a content is provided in response to a request from a client such as a portable telephone, a TV set, or a personal computer, connected to the server.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to present to audience of content a remaining reproducible period of that content limited in recording retention period. If the information recording retention period is restricted for the purpose of copyright protection for example as with broadcast content for example, a relationship between its limit time and the current time can be presented to the audience of the content. Therefore, the audience can know the remaining viewable period up to the limit time or how long it has passed since the passing of the limit time, thereby understanding the status of a system operation for recording time-limited information. In addition, automatically starting the reproduction of content immediately before its time limit for reproduction can prevent the audience from inadvertent failure of viewing.